Jannik Sinner is the star of the show at the upcoming Rome Open as the world No 1 and Italian tennis hero gears up for his return to the courts after a contested doping ban.

Away from the game since agreeing a suspension with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February, Sinner was welcomed back to action Monday by thousands of fans who watched his first training session at the tournament on centre court at Foro Italico.